My Impetus

A striking example of the effects of a graduated neutral density filter (ND filter) can be seen below. This image was taken by awfulsara, and is one of a large number of amazing shots in her photostream.

As you can see, the bottom of the filter is clear, the same exposure as my foreground grasses and trees. Towards the middle of the filter (graduated), it darkens to a (neutral) gray. The lovely blue sky peeking out is what I wanted, but the foreground is perpetually shadowed by these giant cliffs. Unfortunately, the filter darkens in a straight line and the notch does not. In darkening the sky, it also darkens the lower cliffs to near black, losing all their wonderful color. Now that I am better at combining exposures in PS, I would take the shot with the filter in place to ideally expose the sky and upper cliffs and take a second shot to expose for the middle red cliffs, layering them in to the final shot for the best of both worlds.

Neutral Density filters can be solid or graduated. They both function by ‘filtering’ the amount of light that is incident on the sensor or film. However, they differ in the graduation of the light they transmit. Solid filters are, as the name suggests, one gradient across the entire surface. The really neat one is, of course, the graduated neutral density filter. One end of the filter is transparent, and the other is neutral density. In between is a graduated change in density.

This can be used in a variety of ways. As shown above, it can filter the light in the sky and allow the light at the bottom of the frame. And, as Sara illustrates, can be used quite effectively to create stunning photographs – or taken a step farther and used with Photoshop to create stunning High Dynamic Range (HDR) images such as this one from decagrog.

There are many filters out there, and they can be used in many different methods. I am looking into ordering the B + W Graduated Neutral Density filter in either the 0.3 or the 0.6 for my canon XTi.

I am considering ordering a filter that is held in place. I have different diameter lenses, and ideally would like to be able to use the filter no matter what lens I choose. I would then be able to slide the filter to get the correct gradient in the frame to achieve the desired results.

Give them a try and let me know how you do!

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I am currently using the Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000 and love it. I was getting some cramping in the hands from all the typing, but this keyboard, after a brief introductory period of getting used to it, turned out to be a champ. I also am considering the Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse – but I haven’t decided yet.

After I take my photos, I download all the RAW images into Adobe Bridge. I think Bridge is an amazing program, and it allows me to quickly sort, label, and convert the ones I want to keep. I save each batch of photos on a drive, using \scratch\YYYY\MM\DD format, so last week’s photos were \scratch\2007\08\13.

After this, I begin labelling them with Bridge, giving quick ranks of 1* or no *’s. I then go through all the 1*’s and either leave the * or add ** or *** depending on how much I like the photo.

–To be continued–

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In a previous post I was talking about the 18 month release cycle for Canon’s consumer line of digital camera’s. Over at BobAtkins.com Bob has a very nice writeup of some of his thoughts on the ‘predicted’ features of the 40d, and he thinks an October 2007 release is quite likely.  From BobAtkins.com:

So what can we expect to see in the new Canon EOS 40D? I think the following are reasonable guesses based on my knowledge of the Canon system. I have no “inside info”. Canon don’t tell me any of this stuff – and even if they did I would not be able to repeat it!

• The EOS 40D will have all the features of the EOS 30D (larger LCD then 20D, Spot meter, Picture modes etc.)
• Same general shape and size as the EOS 30D. It works, why change it.
• The EOS 40D will stick with the APS-C sensor size. Given the upgrade path from the XTi and 30D, maintaining the EF-S lens mount seems inevitable, which means sticking with APS-C
• More Pixels. I’d expect to see at least a 10 to 10.5MP sensor in the EOS 40D. It could be 12MP, but that’s unlikely in my opinion, since the 1D Mk III only has 10MP and the EOS 5D is 12MP. A 12MP EOS 40D could possibly affect sales of more expensive models. It would be nice if they used the 14-bit A/D from the 1D MKIII for more dynamic range and I think that’s a possible. The Digic III processor (see below) may be able to handle the higher data load. The new sensor may be based on the design of the 1D MkIII sensor which has a better capture ratio than earlier sensors due to optimized pixel design.
• Noise levels equal to or lower than the 30D. Same ISO 100 – 1600 + “H” (3200) range.
• A single Digic III processor (the 1Ds MkIII uses two of them). I’d expect this since Canon are now using the Digic III in their digicams. It could help lower noise a little and speed up camera operation.
• The dust repelling sensor features of the XTi. They may not work perfectly, but they can help a little.
• The EOS 40D will stick with Compact Flash memory rather than going to SD(HC) cards.
• A larger buffer for both JPEG and RAW files. New models always have a larger buffer!
• Sticking with a 5fps frame rate. No real need to go faster even if they could.
• I do not think the EOS 40D will have ECF (eye controlled focus).
• I do not think that the EOS 40D will be weathersealed. That will stay a “pro” feature.
• I’d say “live view” is a possibility. The EOS 20Da had it and the 1D MkIII has it. It’s something few DSLRs have, some consumers want and is mainly a firmware feature. Canon obviously have the technology to do it and I doubt that the cost is high. All the development has been done and it would be a “unique feature” in the price range for APS-C DSLRs. It’s not quite like the live LCD view of P&S digicams, but that may not matter.
• Though I’d love to see image stabilization in the body, I really don’t think Canon are ready to do that yet. They have too much invested in IS lenses. Right now Nikon doesn’t have IS in the body. Sony and Pentax do, but I’m not sure they represent too much competition for Canon.
• A price for the EOS 40D in the $1400 range, +/- $100. The Nikon D200 is selling for $1500 and I’d expect Canon to try to match Nikon on features and certainly under cut them on pricing. It’s guess that $1300 is more likely than $1500.
• EOS 40D real availability by October 2007 (i.e. when you might actually get one in your hand).

Give it a read!

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